In winter, nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts enjoy setting out to conquer snowy trails. For walkers, snowshoes are an excellent alternative for exploring new horizons.
Why go snowshoeing?
Easy, affordable and accessible to everyone, snowshoeing offers freedom and adventure and has become one of the most popular winter mountain activities. Snowshoeing combines enjoyment with exercise. It lets you explore every corner of the mountains, away from the crowds on the pistes. You can share the experience with family, friends or a partner. Hiking poles can help when snowshoeing. They aren’t essential, but they make it easier to keep your balance, especially in deep snow.
Is snowshoeing difficult?
Just as with regular hiking, there are easy routes and others that are more challenging. One thing is certain — snowshoeing is not particularly difficult if you choose a route suited to your level.
How do you choose your snowshoes?
Good snowshoes should be lightweight, ergonomic and durable. Snowshoeing equipment is mostly made from plastic or aluminium, though some advanced models have carbon inserts. Plastic snowshoeing models are the most common: they offer excellent value for money and are highly durable, making them well suited to occasional recreational use. Lighter aluminium snowshoeing models perform better on long, even very long, outings. For those who prioritise speed and low weight, some models have carbon inserts to keep weight to a minimum. If you go out occasionally, choose flexible snowshoeing equipment that follows the foot’s natural movement as closely as possible. For steep terrain, on or off the trail, you need snowshoeing equipment with excellent stability and good grip. Choose models with effective crampons beneath the forefoot.
Photo by Alain Wong on Unsplash
How should you dress for snowshoeing?
Here is a checklist to help you pack your bag:
- A 1st layer or base layer: Ideally, wear base layers made from synthetic fibres or merino wool, which are particularly effective at wicking away perspiration.
- Second layer: Wear a fleece to help insulate your body against the cold.
- A 3rd layer: The jacket must be waterproof and breathable to handle any weather. Choose a hooded model that will protect you in wind or snow.
- Trousers: Warm and stretchy, they should open at the lower leg or along the side to allow perspiration to escape during exertion.
- Sunglasses: preferably choose a wraparound model with side protection and a protection index of 3 or 4.
- Gloves: they should not be too rigid, but above all warm and waterproof.
- A beanie
4 good reasons to go snowshoeing
- Good physical exercise: Snowshoeing works your entire body, right down to the smallest muscles.
- Affordable: Apart from the initial equipment purchase, snowshoeing gear can also be rented (at very low cost), and no lift pass is required.
- Everywhere, all winter long: Whatever your winter destination, you can pull out your snowshoes and head out on an adventure. You will of course need to keep an eye on the weather. After that, you can walk wherever you like — resorts very often have marked trails set up for this purpose.
- Suitable for all abilities, including beginners: Anyone can go snowshoeing. No experience or special skills are needed.
Where can you go snowshoeing?
The Lac Blanc resort has five marked snowshoeing trails through the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, with access to magnificent snowy panoramas.
In the Jura, on the marked trails of the Haut-Jura regional nature park. And more specifically, at the 4 Nordic sites of Grandvaux, offering snowshoeing circuits ranging from 2 to 9 km.
The Massif Central is home to the best routes for snowshoe hiking. Beginners can start with the Les Plaines circuit, while the more adventurous can hike all the way to the summit of Puy Gros at 1,485 metres above sea level. All of this set against magnificent panoramas of snow-covered lakes and volcanoes.
